Research Guides: How to Get Unavailable Articles &amp; Books with Interlibrary Loan (ILL): ILL

Quick Link

Interlibrary Loan (Online Request)
If an article is not available, use the form at this link to request a copy from an outside library system.

When Do I Need ILL?

If you've found an article online (e.g. Google Scholar) that's behind a paywall or there's an article in our database with no full text, or if you've searched the library catalog and we don't have a copy of a book... you need the inter-library loan (ILL) form.

Double-Check, First!

Full Text Finder
When you find an article you want but can't seem to be able to read it... search by source publication name to find which database has access!

Learn more about tracking down article full text (and using this Full Text Finder) with this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzvK--ZYstw

LSC Library Catalog
If it's a book or movie you're trying to find, check the catalog. If you're looking for an article, this isn't going to be helpful.

The Form, Explained

Annotations for the ILL Form
Same information depicted in the image below, but in a searchable, navigable, accessible format.

What Next?

Library Technical Services processes these requests. They find a library that has the item and is able to share it with us. (Sometimes licensing agreements get in the way.)

For articles, plan on allowing at least a couple business days. Physical materials like books take longer, as these have to be shipped from out-of-town/state.

You will receive an email with a download link for your article, or an email notifying you when your book is available to be picked up.